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“She’ll be transported to the morgue for an autopsy, and when she’s released to the funeral home, we’ll let you know.”
    A knock sounded at the door, and Marlena rushed to let the doctor in. Dr. Joyner, a white-haired robust man in his sixties, introduced himself and rushed to Mrs. McEnroe. She was huddled in shock, her body trembling. He took her vitals and immediately gave her a sedative. Within minutes, the neighbor arrived, and she began to comfort the distraught woman.
    “Come on, sweetie,” Edith said softly. “Let’s get upstairs so you can lie down.”
    Mrs. McEnroe clung to her friend’s hand and allowed her to assist her up the stairs.
    The doctor turned to Dante, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. “This is awful, Sheriff., Who killed Jordie?”
    “I don’t know yet’ Dante said. “I’m just beginning to investigate. We only found her body a couple of hours ago.”
    A weary expression made the age lines around his mouth deepen. “Her mother’s heart isn’t good. I hope she survives this shock.”
    “Did you know Jordie?” Dante asked.
    Dr. Joyner shrugged. “Of course. I delivered the child.” He rubbed his hand over his chin. “She was a good girl, Sheriff. A good one. And her mama worshipped her. Find out who did this and make them pay.”
    Dante gave a clipped nod, then glanced at Marlena. She looked exhausted, the strain of the evening and the emotional upheaval wearing on her.
    Dante laid a business card on the end table. “Tell her to call me if she thinks of anyone Jordie might have been involved with. I need to question all her friends, especially any men she dated.”
    Dr. Joyner mumbled agreement. “Let me know anything I can do to help.”
    Dante nodded, then he and Marlena walked to the door, stepped into the blustery cold night and headed to his SUV.
    Thunder rumbled, and the first raindrop fell as he pulled onto the street. He hoped to hell the CSI team finished searching for forensics before the storm unloaded to contaminate the crime scene.
    “Are you going home now?” Marlena asked.
      Dante veered onto the curvy mountain road leading toward Marlena’s. “No. I’m going to drive back out to Jordie’s to make sure forensics covers everything before the bad weather sets in.”
    Marlena sighed wearily and ran a hand through her hair, drawing his gaze to the silky blond strands.
    Strands that he wanted to touch. That he’d probably dream about tonight.
    Dammit.        
    A bead of sweat trickled down his neck. “I need to talk to the medical examiner, too.”
    Thoughts of the ME and what his job entailed jerked him back to reality. The rumbling storm clouds and roaring wind reminded him that time was of the essence.
    That the ME might not detect evidence Of a demon attack. That he was on his own in that regard.
    He had to be alert in case a new demon was in town. In case Father Gio and his minions had orchestrated this kill and intended to attack him and wreak havoc on the locals now he was back.
    Marlena had lapsed into silence, and he pulled up the long winding road to her house. Fatigue and fear lined her face as he parked. The killer had been on her porch, had left her Jordie’s bloody ring.
    Would he come back tonight for Marlena?
     
     
    The pain of Mrs. McEnroe’s cries echoed in Marlena’s head.
    She understood grief, of having someone ripped from your arms too soon. Suddenly the fear and grief of her own family’s loss welled inside her, and her throat thickened.
    God help her. She’d moved back here to confront her past and get over her nightmares.
    But a murderer had left his trophy for her, a reminder of how cruel life—and people—could be.
    Her hand shook as she opened the car door, and Dante strode around to her side to help her. She wanted to lean on him, but she’d spent the last twenty years learning how to stand on her own, and she couldn’t succumb to that need now.
    She didn’t want to get close to anyone ever again.
    Instead she had